Recent discussions reveal that Judge Aileen Cannon may not fit Donald Trump’s criteria for his next attorney general. Cannon, a Trump appointee, gained attention after dismissing all charges against Trump in his classified documents case in Florida. Despite this, attorney Ken White suggested on his Serious Trouble podcast that Cannon lacks the level of extremity that Trump might prefer in a key legal advisor.
Trump’s List of Candidates
Reports from ABC News indicate that Cannon ranks second on Trump’s shortlist for the attorney general position, following former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Jay Clayton. Trump has publicly praised Cannon, expressing gratitude for her dismissal of the charges against him during recent campaign speeches.
However, White points out that Cannon may not possess the aggressive mindset Trump is seeking. He specifically contrasted her with Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department lawyer indicted in connection with Trump and others for alleged fraud related to the 2020 presidential election. Clark’s extreme views and legal tactics align more closely with the type of attorney general Trump might favor, according to White.
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The Legal Context
Trump faces 40 federal charges in Cannon’s court regarding his handling of sensitive materials taken from his Mar-a-Lago estate after his presidency. He has consistently maintained his innocence, describing the legal proceedings as a political witch hunt. Cannon previously dismissed the charges against Trump on July 15, citing a lack of constitutional grounds for appointing Jack Smith, a private citizen, as the special prosecutor handling Trump’s federal indictments. This decision is currently being appealed in the 11th Circuit.
Perceived Favoritism
In addition to her role in Trump’s case, Cannon is presiding over the trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to shoot Trump at a Florida golf course. Routh’s defense team has called for Cannon to recuse herself, alleging favoritism towards Trump. White addressed this situation, suggesting that while some defense attorneys might consider it beneficial to keep Cannon due to her perceived inexperience, it remains unlikely that they would employ such a strategy.
